World Cup 2026: Argentina 2-0 Austria – Lionel Messi breaks scoring record with two goals to send holders through

Match report as Argentina beat Austria 2-0 in Dallas as Lionel Messi scored twice to break the World Cup scoring record. Argentina’s captain missed an early penalty but still sends the holders through to the knockout stages with a game to spare

Lionel Messi broke the World Cup scoring record as Argentina beat Austria 2-0 in Dallas to secure their place in the knockout stages.

Messi had early missed a penalty after VAR intervened to award a spot-kick for a foul on Lautaro Martinez but the 38-year-old Argentina captain could not be denied for long, scoring with a trademark finish from Facundo Medina’s low cross in the first half.

Messi’s first goal brought up 17 in the World Cup – moving clear of Miroslav Klose as the top scorer in the tournament’s history. He added a second in stoppage-time to take his tally to five in just two Group J fixtures after his hat-trick against Algeria.

Austria, who beat Jordan in their opening match, were combative if lacking a little quality in the final third, and will still fancy their chances of progressing. But it is the holders who top Group J and look set to top the table in defence of the trophy.